Bio-Rad Criterion Dodeca Cell User Manual

Criterion®Dodeca

™

Cell

Instruction Manual

Catalog Number

165-4130

For Technical Service Call Your Local Bio-Rad Office or in the U.S. Call 1-800-4BIORAD (1-800-424-6723)

Table of Contents

Page

Section 1 General Information....................................................................................1

1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................1

1.2 Safety ..........................................................................................................................1

1.3 Components................................................................................................................2

Section 2 Setting up the Dodeca Cell for Electrophoresis ........................................3

2.1 Preparing the Buffers .................................................................................................3

2.2 Preparing the Criterion Precast Gel ...........................................................................4

2.3 Assembling the Cell ...................................................................................................4

2.4 Opening Criterion Cassettes and Removing the Gel.................................................6

2.5 Accessories for Cooling .............................................................................................7

Section 3 Maintenance .................................................................................................8

3.1 General Maintenance .................................................................................................8

3.2 Draining the Tank.......................................................................................................8

3.3 Guidelines for Reusing Tank Buffer..........................................................................8

Section 4 Troubleshooting Guide ................................................................................9

Section 5 Product Information and Accessories .....................................................10

Section 6 Warranty Information...............................................................................11

Section 1
General Information

1.1 Introduction

The Criterion Dodeca Cell is a multi-cell for mini-vertical gel electrophoresis. It can run

one to twelve Criterion gels simultaneously.

Table 1. Specifications

Tank and lid Acrylic
Upper electrode assembly Polycarbonate with 241 cm, (95 inches) platinum

wire

Lower electrode assembly Polycarbonate with 201 cm (79 inches) platinum

wire

Drain line Tygon

1

tubing

Drain line connectors Delrin

2

Cooling coil Acrylic
Cooling coil connector tubing Tygon
Total buffer volume 6 liters maximum (running one gel),

(upper and lower buffer 5.34 liters minimum (running 12 gels)
chambers combined)

Overall size 49 cm (L) x 18.8 cm (W) x 19.2 cm (H)
Precast gel compatibility Criterion precast gels
Handcast gel compatibility Gels prepared in empty Criterion cassettes
Recommended power supply PowerPac 200 power supply
Safety limits 600 V, 250 W
Weight 4.66 kg (10.25 lb)

Note: Dodeca Cell components are not compatible with acetone or ethanol. Use of organic
solvents voids all warranties.

1.2 Safety

Power to the Criterion Dodeca Cell is supplied by an external DC voltage power supply
(not included). The output of the power supply must be isolated from external ground to insure
that the DC voltage output floats with respect to ground. All Bio-Rad power supplies meet this
important safety requirement. Regardless of the power supply used, the maximum specified
operating parameters for the Criterion Dodeca Cell are as follows:

600 VDC voltage limit
250 watts power limit
40 °C ambient temperature limit

The current to the cell enters the unit through the lid assembly that provides a safety­interlock to the user. The current to the cell via the lid’s upper electrodes is broken when the
lid is removed. Always turn off the power supply before removing the lid. Do not attempt to

use the cell without the safety lid.

1

Tygon is a registered trademark of Norton Co.

2

Delrin is a registered trademark of E.I. DuPont de Nemours.

1

2

Note: This Bio-Rad instrument is designed for laboratory use only and is certified to meet
EN-61010 safety standards. Operation of this product is subject to the condition that no harmful
radio interference is caused and that any interference must be accepted. Certified products
are safe to use when operated in accordance with the instruction manual. This instrument
should not be modified or altered in any way. Alteration of this instrument will

• Void the warranty

• Void the EN61010-1 certification, and

• Create a potential safety hazard

Bio-Rad is not responsible for any injury or damage caused by use of this instrument for
purposes other than those for which it is intended or by modifications of the instrument not
performed by Bio-Rad or an authorized agent.

*

EN61010-1 is an internationally accepted electrical safety standard for laboratory instruments.

1.3 Components

To get the best performance from your Criterion Dodeca Cell, familiarize yourself with
the components by assembling and disassembling the cell before using it for the first time.

Criterion Dodeca Cell tank.

Criterion Dodeca Cell lid with power cables.

Cooling coil

Buffer overfill
drain ports

Male banana
plugs

Cassette-opening
tool

Buffer drain port

Gel cassette
orientation label

Drain port cover

Color-coded
power cables

Upper electrode
assembly (cathode)

Buffer fill
level label

Lower electrode
assembly (anode)

Female quick­connectors
for coolant
recirculation

Table 2. Description of Parts

Buffer tank and lid The buffer tank and lid combine to fully enclose the

inner chamber during electrophoresis. The lid cannot
be removed without disrupting the electrical circuit.
The buffer fill level and gel cassette orientation are
indicated with labels.

Cooling coil The integrated cooling coil chills the lower buffer

chamber. The cooling core can be connected to a
refrigerated circulator (not included).

Electrode assembly The lower buffer chamber (tank) contains the anode.

The lid of the Dodeca Cell houses the cathode.

Drain port The drain port allows buffer to be removed from the

tank. The drain line attaches via a quick-connect
fitting (this assembly is provided with the cell). The
buffer drains by gravity out from the open end of
the drain line into an appropriate-size vessel. To
ensure safety, the cell cannot be drained while the
lid is on.

Buffer overfill drain ports For user safety, buffer overfill drain ports do not

allow the buffer level to reach the upper electrode
assembly and create a dangerous short condition
within the cell.

Gel cassette A Criterion precast gel or a handcast gel in a

Criterion cassette is referred to as a gel cassette.

Cassette-opening tool The cassette-opening tool is a wedge built into the

tank. It offers a convenient way to crack open gel
cassettes after electrophoresis.

Section 2
Setting Up the Dodeca Cell for Electrophoresis

2.1 Preparing the Buffers

Prepare 6 liters of running buffer for electrophoresis. Buffer may be chilled prior to
electrophoresis. If the SDS precipitates out of the buffer, insure it is completely redissolved
before electrophoresis.

Table 3. Standard Running Buffer Formulations

Tris/Glycine/SDS 25 mM Tris-Base (M.W. 121.1),

192 mM Glycine (M.W. 75.07),

0.1% SDS,
pH 8.3, (Do not adjust the pH with acid or base. If

the pH is not accurate remake the buffer).

Tris/Tricine/SDS 100 mM Tris-Base (M.W. 121.1),

100 mM Tricine (M.W. 179.2),

0.1% SDS,
pH 8.3, (Do not adjust the pH with acid or base. If

the pH not accurate remake the buffer).

Tris/Boric Acid/EDTA (TBE) 89 mM Tris-Base (M.W. 121.1),

89 mM boric acid (M.W. 61.83)
2 mM EDTA (M.W. 372.26),
pH 8.3, (Do not adjust the pH with acid or base. If

the pH is not accurate remake the buffer).

3